3 Ways to Handle Obstacles at Work

The following is a guest post by a long-time friend of mine, Dr. Michael Nichols, who was named as one the Top-100 speakers in the country in an Inc.com article.   

Click here to see some of his free leadership training videos.

This week while traveling, I had conversations with several people about how tempting it is to compartmentalize areas of life like OBSTACLES. Maybe it helps us feel better about ourselves. Maybe it puts problem areas in a neat little box so we can push them out of sight and out of mind.

Think about this – OBSTACLES are inevitable. They’re a natural part of life and work. Right?

So, if obstacles are to be expected, even unavoidable, why the need to label them?

The fact that we label obstacles makes them scary. Conjures up anxiety.

What if we simply viewed obstacles as a part of life – and a part of our work?

Obstacles occur to help you determine if you really believe in the vision.

Yet most people never get past the obstacle. So they never accomplish their dream. They never live out the vision.

So today, when you face obstacles – and you will – here are 3 ways to handle them…

1. Quit calculating the size of the obstacle and remember the size of your vision. Keep your eye on the vision. Focus on it. Fanatically.

2. Find a solution instead of letting the obstacle become an excuse.

  3. Prepare for future obstacles. If obstacles stop you, you will never breakthrough. You’ll never experience the miracle. And your vision is worth it.

Your life matters immensely. And your work matters. So don’t give up. Don’t quit. Not today.

Question: What obstacle are you facing that you need to move past today?  

Coach Bechler Note:  Overcome some obstacles and prepare today by clicking on this link to watch a quick free video from Michael Nichols that will be sure to add value to your life.

Persevering to Finish Strong

Has your season been disappointing? Are you frustrated with your results? Do you have a sense of despair? Do you feel that there is little hope?   If so, then I want to encourage you today to run the race with perseverance and finish strong. Don’t be discouraged.

I am reminded of the Jacob Riis’ quote concerning rock sculptures…

Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before.

Just like the stone cutter, you don’t always know when good will come but you do know that if you quit, it will never come. 

Last season, our football and volleyball teams were both struggling. However, they didn’t quit and kept on persevering. 

Both teams were able to put it all together and win first-round sectional games in the state tournament. If they had let despair get the better of them, they never would have found success.

5 Components of Contagious Leadership

The following is a guest post by a long-time friend of mine, Dr. Michael Nichols, who Inc.com listed as one of its' Top-100 speakers in the country.

Is leadership really leadership if it's not being passed on to others?

Ralph Nader once said: The function of leadership is to create more leaders, not more followers.

Culture-shaping leaders place the success of others, the team, and the organization above their own well-being. Often at great personal cost. They understand that there’s far more value and fulfillment in sacrifice than in self-preservation. And they consistently choose to serve future leaders in a way that makes them more successful.
And future leaders love them for it!

So if you’re energized by developing new leaders, here are 5 often-neglected factors that will take your leadership viral…

1. START

This might seem a little obvious – you’ve got to start.

I can’t tell you how many people have sat across the table – over coffee, breakfast, or lunch – and told me about their new idea. Or their intention to write a life plan or a vision for their work. Or their vision for a new product, service, or organization.

Then, months (or years) later, when I ask how it’s going, there’s an uncomfortable pause followed by – I never was able to get it going.

There’s always a reason to not start. And there are many more reasons to walk away. And every one of those reasons will guarantee your failure. They’ll sentence you to a life of mediocrity.

At some point – if you are going to lead – you’ll have to chuck every stinking excuse out the window and do something. Take one small step. Make one simple decision. Do something! Just start.

So what is it that is keeping you from making progress? Why haven’t you started?

One of the most encouraging books I’ve read this year is "Start", by Jon Acuff. Every leader in the world should read it.
 
Coach Bechler Note:  Get 'started' today by clicking on this link to watch a quick free video from Michael Nichols that will be sure to add value to your life.